Weep hole screen

ABSTRACT

A weep hole screen and method for installing the same in the exterior wall of a masonry building in order to prevent small animals such as insects and rodents from entering the building through the weep hole. A weep hole screen in accordance with the present invention preferably comprises a rectangular mesh screen with an angle bracket attached to each end. The weep hole screen is sized such that the angle brackets sandwich the bricks that form the weep hole, preferably on the interior faces of the bricks. The interfaces between the weep hole screen and the bricks are preferably sealed with mortar or-another suitable sealant. The weep hole screen may be installed easily during original construction of the wall without the need for any mechanical fasteners.

This is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority from andincorporating herein by reference U.S. application Ser. No. 10/249,716,filed on May 2, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an improved weep hole screen and method ofinstalling the same for covering weep holes in masonry buildings.

2. Description of the Related Art

In masonry buildings, the exterior walls are usually provided with anumber of weep holes to allow adequate ventilation of the space betweenthe exterior walls and the interior walls. Weep holes are typicallyformed during exterior wall construction by simply not placing mortar inthe gap between two adjacent bricks. Although weep holes are useful forproviding ventilation, they also present a problem of intrusion ofinsects and rodents into the walls.

In view of that problem, a number of types of weep hole screens havebeen developed over the years. However, each of the prior weep holescreens has significant drawbacks. Most of the existing weep holescreens are designed for installation after the construction of thewalls and therefore involve some attempt to fasten the weep hole screenson the exterior of the walls. Examples of such weep hole screens includeU.S. Pat. No. 6,360,493 to Torres 111, U.S. Pat. No. 6, 176,048 toBerger, U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,594 to Desselle, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,795to Balamut et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.Such designs that involve the use of mechanical fasteners areproblematic because of the difficulties of using mechanical fasteners inmasonry. Specifically, mechanical fasteners do not readily penetrate andhold in masonry but tend to grind to powder or chip away the masonry.Additionally, some of the existing designs involve movable parts, whichunnecessarily increases the level of complexity for manufacture andinstallation and increases the cost. Because of those drawbacks, itwould be a significant advancement in the art to provide a weep holescreen that requires no mechanical fasteners, has no moving parts, issimple and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved weep hole screen andmethod for installing the same in the exterior wall of a masonrybuilding in order to prevent small animals such as insects and rodentsfrom entering the building through the weep hole. A weep hole screen inaccordance with the present invention preferably comprises a rectangularmesh screen with an angle bracket attached to each end. The weep holescreen is sized such that the angle brackets sandwich the bricks thatform the weep hole on the interior faces of the bricks. The interfacesbetween the weep hole screen and the bricks are preferably sealed withmortar or another suitable sealant. The weep hole screen may beinstalled easily during original construction of the wall. Such a weephole screen is advantageous because it is simple and inexpensive tomanufacture and install. By installing the present weep hole screenduring original construction, the weep hole screen is cemented firmly inplace without the need for mechanical fasteners.

Additionally, the present weep hole screen is located on the interiorface of the brick wall, so it is not readily visible from the exteriorand is out of the way and not likely to get knocked off by activitiesoccurring on the exterior of the building, such as lawn care andbuilding maintenance.

Disclosed is a method of installing the present weep hole screen about aweep hole formed between first and second bricks in a masonry wallduring construction of the wall, each of said bricks having an uppersurface, a lower surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and sidesurfaces, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) applying a first amount of mortar on a mounting surface;

(b) positioning the first and second bricks in spaced relation on afirst amount of mortar;

(c) providing a weep hole screen having first and second angle bracketsspaced apart from one another and a mesh screen attached to each offirst and second angle brackets;

(d) positioning the weep hole screen such that the first and secondbricks are at least partially sandwiched between first and second anglebrackets and the mesh screen abuts the front or rear surface of each ofthe first and second bricks;

(e) sealing the weep hole screen to each of the first and second bricks;and

(f) installing a third brick on top of the first and second bricks usinga second amount of mortar.

Disclosed is a method of installing Applicant's novel weep hole screenwherein said step(e) above comprises using a third amount of mortar toseal the mesh screen to first and second bricks.

Additionally, disclosed is a method of installing Applicant's novel weephole screen wherein a first angle bracket comprises first and secondflanges, first and second flanges being substantially perpendicular toone another, a second angle bracket comprises third and fourth flanges,third and fourth flanges being substantially perpendicular to oneanother, the mesh screen being attached to second and fourth flanges,and wherein step (d) above comprises positioning the first flangeadjacent the upper surface of each of the first and second bricks;positioning the second flange adjacent the rear surface of each of thefirst and second bricks; positioning the third flange adjacent the lowersurface of each of the first and second bricks; and positioning thefourth flange adjacent the rear surface of each of the first and secondbricks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a weep hole screen in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a portion of a brick wall having aweep hole with a weep hole screen installed in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of a brick wall having aweep hole with a weep hole screen installed in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative weep hole screen inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5B is perspective view of another alternative preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of another alternative preferredembodiment of the present modification.

FIG. 5D is a partial cross sectional view alternative preferredembodiment of the present invention set forth in FIG. 5C.

FIG. 5E illustrates a perspective view of a louvered screen embodimentfor use with Applicant's present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the installation of Applicant's various embodimentson the front of a brick wall.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate top elevational views of an alternatepreferred embodiment of Applicant's weep hole screen; FIG. 7Billustrating the top elevational view of the embodiment set forth inFIG. 8C below.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate three alternate preferred embodiments ofan integral face/leg weep hole screen device particularly suited forinstallation to preexisting weep holes that have no screens or devicesengaged therewith.

FIG. 9A and 9B illustrate the brick wall, preexisting, and the steps forinstalling the embodiment of FIGS. 8A, B and C therein, having a weephole therein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top elevational view of a manner in which theintegral face/leg weep hole screen fits into a weep hole.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an embodiment of applicant's integralface/leg weep hole screen device having tapered legs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. I a weep hole screen 10 in accordance with the presentinvention comprises a mesh screen 16 which is attached to angle brackets12 and 14 at either end. The attachment of screen 16 to angle brackets12 and 14 may be by any suitable means, such as by welding, adhesives,or mechanical fasteners. Screen 16 preferably has holes that are-smallenough to prevent insects and rodents from passing through it yet largeenough to allow air and moisture to pass through. Angle brackets 12 and14 and screen 16 may be made of any suitable material, such as metal,plastic, or nylon.

As seen in FIG. 2, weep hole screen 10 is sized such that angle brackets12 and 14 are able to snugly sandwich a pair of adjacent bricks 18 and19 having a weep hole 23 therebetween. Typically, the distance betweenthe inner faces of the flanges is equal to or a few thousands of an inchgreater than the brick thereon, in one embodiment about 2¼ inches toabout 2 9/32 inches, and the screen 16 about ⅜ to ½ inch wide. Bricks 18and mortar 22 are arranged to form a wall atop foundation 20 as is knownin the art. Weep hole screen 10 is installed during originalconstruction of the wall. Although weep hole screen 10 may be installedon the exterior of the wall, weep hole screen 10 is preferably installedon the interior of the wall, as best shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a view from the inside of a portion of a brick wall comprisingbricks 24, 25, and 26 on top of foundation 20. For the sake of clarity,no mortar is shown in FIG. 3. A weep hole 23 is formed by the absence ofmortar between bricks 24 and 25. Angle brackets 12 and 14 of weep holescreen 10 sandwich bricks 24 and 25 in the vicinity of weep hole 23 suchthat screen 16 covers weep hole 23. Mortar (not shown) betweenfoundation 21 and bricks 24 and 25 serves to cement weep hole screen 10firmly in place and to seal the interfaces between angle brackets 12, 14and bricks 24, 25. Mortar or another suitable sealant (not shown), suchas silicone or adhesive, may also be used to seal the edges 16 a and 16b of screen 16 to the back sides of bricks 24 and 25, respectively. Inthis manner, weep hole screen 10 allows the interior of the wall tobreathe while preventing insects or rodents from entering into theinterior of the wall through the weep hole 23. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that weep hole screen 10 provides a significantadvantage over currently available weep hole screens in that weep holescreen 10 has no moving parts, and no mechanical fasteners are requiredfor installation. Weep hole screen 10 is simple and inexpensive tomanufacture and install and thus provides a much more efficient solutionto the problem of insect and rodent entry than presently available weephole screens which are installed on the exterior after a wall isconstructed.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative weep hole screen 30 is the same asweep hole screen 10 described above except that peel-off preferablydouble-sided adhesive strips 32, 34 are installed along the frontsides—of screen 16 between angle brackets 12, 14. Peel-off adhesivestrips 32, 34, which are preferably of the type having a protectivelayer (not shown) that is peeled off to expose the adhesive prior toinstallation, enhance the seal between screen 16 and the backs of thebricks that are sandwiched between angle brackets 12, 14 when weep holescreen 30 is installed. As an alternative to peel-off adhesive strips32, 34, other suitable sealants may be used, such as silicone, putty, orepoxy.

Referring again to FIG. 3, weep hole screen 10 is preferably installedon the inner face of the brick wall by placing a first amount of mortar(not shown) on foundation 21, which serves as a mounting surface. Bricks24 and 25 are placed upon the first amount of mortar in spaced relationto one another so as to form a weep hole 23. Weep hole screen 10 ispositioned about bricks 24 and 25 such that brackets 12 and 14 sandwichbricks 24 and 25 about the weep hole 23 and mesh screen 16 abuts therear surfaces of bricks 24 and 25. Edges 16 a and 16 b of mesh screen 16are sealed to the rear surfaces of bricks 24 and 25, preferably withmortar. Other suitable sealant, such as silicone, putty, or epoxy, couldbe used instead of mortar, but mortar is preferred because it is readilyavailable for brick building construction as a matter of course. Brick26 is then installed with mortar on top of bricks 24 and 25. Anglebracket 12 is thus cemented firmly in place in the mortar between bricks24, 25, 26, and angle bracket 14 is cemented firmly in place in themortar between bricks 24, 25 and foundation 21. In addition to holdingweep hole screen 10 in place, the mortar also seals the interfacesbetween weep hole screen 10 and the bricks 24, 25, 26 and foundation 21and thereby prevents insects and rodents from entering the buildingthrough the weep hole 23. Weep hole screen 16 of FIG. 4 is preferablyinstalled in like manner as weep hole screen 10 as described above,except that the protective layer is peeled off of each of the adhesivestrips 32 and 34 before weep hole screen 30 is positioned about thebricks 24, 26. Adhesive strips 32 and 34 thereby seal the interfacesbetween mesh screen 16 and bricks 24, 25.

The method set forth in the paragraph above applies as well to theinstallation of any of the embodiments of the weep hole screen set forthherein and also to the installation on a weep hole created by spacedapart adjacent bricks in a course of bricks above a first course ofbricks illustrated in FIG. 3. That is to say, while the description setforth above for the installation of the device between adjacent bricksshows the adjacent bricks being the first course (first horizontal levelof bricks above the foundation), the method is used for applying thedevice to the weep hole where the weep hole is located between adjacentbricks and a course above the first course, such as the second course ofbricks in FIG. 2. It follows then that the first amount of mortar is notplaced on foundation, but is placed on the underlying brick (see FIG.2).

A preferred method of installing any of the devices set forth herein ison weep holes defined by adjacent bricks on the inner wall of the brickwall, during construction of the brick wall. In an alternate preferredmethod of installation, the devices may be placed both on the rear(inner) and the front (outer) walls during the construction of the brickwall. Thus, there may be dual coverings on a single weep hole, both atthe front and at the rear of the weep holes thereby providing doublecoverage. That is to say, if one of the front or the rear devicesfailed, there would still be backup protection from the remaining weephole screen.

Furthermore, while a preferred method of installing a device on a brickwall is set forth in the paragraphs above, an alternative preferredmethod of installing devices, either at the front or at the rear or atboth the front and the rear of the brick wall, during the constructionof a brick wall would provide for the flanges of the devices to beinserted after all of the bricks and mortar below, to either side of theweep hole, and above the weep hole have been installed with mortar andthe mortar is still wet. At such a time any of the devices set forthherein can be gently pressed, with the flanges sandwiching the bricks asseen in FIGS. 2 and 3 into the wet mortar, which when hardened will lockthe weep hole screen in place. This placement should be done carefullyso as not to affect the alignment of the bricks. The flanges may begently urged outward or inward prior to installation, as needed if thegap between the inner walls of the spaced apart flanges needs to beadjusted to be snug with the brick.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate alternative preferred embodiments of Applicant'sweep hole screen 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A, angledbrackets 12 and 14 are connected by vertical portions 40 a and 40 b,thus comprising a rectangular frame 40, the frame having the horizontal(flanged) portions of angled brackets 12 and 14 extending therefrom.

FIG. 5A illustrates an alternate preferred embodiment of Applicant'sweep hole screen 10. In FIG. 5A, a separate screen 16, which may berigid, but is typically flexible (non-rigid), is provided to cover anopening defined by the inner walls of vertical portions 40 a and 40 b,and the inner (vertical) walls of flanges or angled brackets 12 and 14.The embodiment set forth in FIG. 5B illustrates a rigid screen portion17 that is integral (of the same piece) with the remaining elements ofthe weep hole screen. These elements are the vertical portions 40 a and40 b, and the horizontal portions or the flanges that extendperpendicular to and integral with elements 17, 40 a, 40 b.

Likewise, in FIG. 5C, the integral one-piece flange/frame/rigid screenunit is illustrated. However, where FIG. 5B has actual holes punchedthrough the material defining rigid screen portion 17, FIG. 5C and 5Dillustrate “half-moon” (semi-circular) shaped louvers pressed out of theworkplace. Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5C and 5D,an integral, rigid one-piece screen 17 with half-moon shaped louvers, itis seen that there is now an “up” and “down” side to the louver side tothe screen. That is to say, the screen is preferably installed with thelouvers down, so as to shed water or rain.

FIG. 5E illustrates the rigid, integral screen portion 17 being definedby louvers across the face thereof, that is, having an extendedlongitudinal axis when compared to the “half moon” shaped louvers. Whileall the embodiments illustrate openings, FIGS. 1, 5A and 5B define holesand in FIGS. 5C, 5D and 5E, the openings are louvers.

FIG. 6 illustrates the installation of any of the embodiments ofApplicant's weep hole screen on the outer surface of a brick wall. Thisinstallation may be accompanied by an installation on the same weep holeon the inner surface of the wall. That is to say, any of Applicant'snovel weep hole devices may be installed on the inner surface alone, onthe outer surface of the wall alone or on both inner and outer surfacesof the same weep hole. Moreover, installation of any of the devices setforth herein could be done during the laying of the side bricks 24 and25, which define the weep hole and either before or after placement ofbrick 26 above the weep hole.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate yet additional preferredembodiments of Applicant's weep hole screen designated element 10 a.These feature a rigid face portion 42 having openings therethrough andintegral side legs 44 and 46. The width WI of face 42, which includes aperforated face portion (FIGS. 8B or 8C) or louvered (FIG. 8A, 11A or11B) defining all or part of the face, has a width of W1, whichtypically approximates the weep hole width, typically about ⅜ inch.Typically the width of the face may be in the range of ¼ to ½ inch.

Integral and resiliently or flexibly engaged with the face are the legs44, 46 which may be provided with crimps 48, 50, so as to facilitatebending of legs during installation. Typically angle A between face 42and legs 44, 46 is greater than 90° but less than 180°, typically about135°.

FIG. 8A illustrates that at least a portion of face 42 is made up of aperforated or louvered section that may be integral with and made fromthe same workpiece as legs 44, 46. This may be done by stamping flatstock metal or other suitable material having the proper length, widthand height dimensions with a stamp to define the face portion 42 andthen bending after crimps 48, 50 (optional) are pressed into theworkpiece, legs 44, 46 and the legs bent to the proper angle greaterthan 900,

In FIG. 8B, a separate perforated section such as a flexible screen 16may be added to a workpiece with a rectangular blank formed therein,which screen would be attached by any suitable adhesive to the rearsurface of the weep hole screen.

FIG. 8C illustrates that the entire single integral face/legs workpiecemay be punched with openings throughout, including legs 44, 46, toprovide circulation through the weep hole, crimps may be added and legsdefined at the proper angle.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the installation of the integral face/legembodiment 10 a illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, and 8C and 11.Typically this occurs after a wall is built and the mortar is dried.Indeed, these embodiments are quite suitable for retrofitting open weepholes on walls that have been built and existing for years.

The device is placed adjacent to the weep hole and aligned so that thelegs are adjacent the brick weep hole side walls. The top and bottom ofthe weep hole screen is aligned with the top and bottom of the weephole.

The installation process may be achieved by flexing legs 44, 46 gentlyinward until they pass the inner faces of side walls of adjacent bricks24, 25 and then urging screen 10 a into the wall until face 42 is aboutflush with or slightly past (inward of) the front surface 24 a and 25 aof the bricks. The angle that the legs are bent inward duringinstallation will typically be at or less than 90 degrees. For example,weep hole screen 10 a would be inserted so that it is flush with thewalls of the brick when the mortar surface is also flush with the brickwall. However, mortar is sometimes smoothed back or recessed from thesurface of the brick, in which case, screen 10 a would be pushed backpast the adjacent brick front wall so that it was adjacent the surfaceof the mortar course above and below the weep hole.

The height of the alternate preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS.7-8C and 11 is typically a height H3, that is, about equal to the heightH1 (thickness of a brick or about 2¼″-2½″), but may be as great as H2,about 3¾″ a typical height between the top surface of a brick orfoundation below the weep hole and the bottom surface of a brick abovethe weep hole as seen in FIG. 9. This range may be 2¼ to 3¼ inches.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an alternate preferred embodiment of Applicant'snovel weep hole screen 10, which has louvered openings, installedcantered downward to help repel water, such as rain or water from asprinkler, but which maintains an appropriate gap that will alloweffective circulation of air yet prevent access into the weep hole bybugs and the like. The full length louvers may be made with integrallegs (for example, FIG. 11).

Note in FIGS. 11 and 12 an alternate preferred embodiment of theintegral face/legs of the weep hole screen set forth in FIGS. 7A, 7B and8A-C is illustrated. However, the pair of legs adjacent the weep holescreen face in FIGS. 11 and 12 is seen to be tapered. In FIG. 8A, heightH3 is typically the height of the entire piece, including the face 42 aswell as both legs. However, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11and 12, it is seen that the height H3 of the legs is only the heightwhere the legs join the face and going outward therefrom toward theouter edge of the leg, the height of the leg H4 tapers so that height H4is less than height H3.

Turning now to dimensions of the screen or gaps in the louver, it may beseen that the gap (across lower end half moon) or the diameter orlongest axis of a round hole or polygonal opening should not exceedabout ⅛ inch and not be less than about 1/32 inch. The upper limit wouldprevent entry of bugs and the like and promote air circulation and thelower limit would allow same, but too small a dimension would inhibitair circulation, to allow access by bugs. The thickness of the materialused for the weep hole device, such as the frame and flange is typicallyabout 1/32 inch.

Any of the embodiments of Applicant's present invention may be made fromany suitable material. Metal, including stainless steel or aluminum,would help prevent rusting. Galvanized, painted, or powder coating ofsteel would also inhibit rusting. Moreover, any of the devices may becolored with paint or other suitable coating, including powder coating,and may be of a color including a medium gray to simulate mortar.Plastic may also be used.

Although the foregoing specific details describe a preferred embodimentof this invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art will recognizethat various changes may be made in the details of this inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that thisinvention is not to be limited to the specific details shown anddescribed herein.

1. A brick wall comprising: a multiplicity of bricks including at leasta pair of bricks of a first course, the pair of bricks adjacent to oneanother and defining a weep hole therebetween, each of the bricks havinga top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of sidewalls, the weep hole adjacent the pair of side walls of the adjacentbricks of the pair of bricks; and a weep hole screen having an upper anda lower angled brackets spaced apart by a screen portion defining atleast in part a multiplicity of openings, the angled bracket havingflanged portions dimensioned to engage a portion of the top and bottomwalls of adjacent bricks to lay in generally flush relationship thereto,the weep hole screen further dimensioned such that at least a portion ofthe screen portion lays between the rear walls of the pair of bricksadjacent the weep hole.
 2. The brick wall of claim 1, wherein the screenportion is rigid and integral with the angled brackets, and wherein theangled brackets are connected by a pair of spaced apart vertical memberportions dimensioned to at least partially lay flush and adjacent to therear walls of the pair of adjacent bricks.
 3. The brick wall of claim 2,wherein the screen portion includes a multiplicity of holes.
 4. Thebrick wall of claim 2, wherein the screen portion includes amultiplicity of louvered openings.
 5. The brick wall of claim 4, whereinthe louvers are semi-circular in shape.
 6. The brick wall of claim 5,wherein the louvers are elongated in shape.
 7. The brick wall of claim1, wherein the weep hole screen includes a pair of vertical memberportions spaced apart and a flexible screen member and defining an inneropening in which the flexible screen member is mounted.
 8. The brickwall of claim 1, wherein the weep hole screen is frameless.
 9. The brickwall of claim 1, wherein the inner faces of the flanges are spaced apartapproximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inchwide.
 10. The brick wall of claim 9, wherein at least the angledbrackets of the weep hole screen is made from a material with athickness of about 1/32 inch.
 11. The brick wall of claim 1, wherein thescreen portion is rigid and integral with the angled brackets, andwherein the angled brackets are connected by a pair of spaced apartvertical member portions dimensioned to at least partially lay flush andadjacent to the rear walls of the pair of adjacent bricks, and whereinthe inner faces of the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches,and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide.
 12. The brick wall ofclaim 1, wherein the weep hole screen includes a pair of vertical memberportions spaced apart and defining an inner opening in which the screenis mounted, and wherein the inner faces of the flanges are spaced apartapproximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion if about ⅜ to ½ inchwide.
 13. The brick wall of claim 1, wherein the screen portion includesa multiplicity of louvered openings, and wherein the flanges are spacedapart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½inch wide.
 14. The brick wall of claim 1, wherein the screen portionincludes a multiplicity of holes, and wherein the flanges are spacedapart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½inch wide.
 15. The brick wall of claim 1, wherein the screen portion isrigid and integral wit the angled brackets, and wherein the angledbrackets are connected by a pair of spaced apart vertical memberportions dimensioned to at least partially lay flush and adjacent to therear walls of the pair of adjacent bricks, and wherein the flanges arespaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜to ½ inch wide, and wherein the weep hole screen is made of galvanized,painted or powder coated steel.
 16. The brick wall of claim 1, whereinthe weep hole screen includes a pair of vertical member portions spacedapart and defining an inner opening in which the screen is mounted, andwherein the flanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and thescreen portion is about ⅜ to ½ inch wide, and wherein the weep holescreen is made of galvanized, painted or powder coated steel.
 17. Thebrick wall of claim 1, wherein the screen portion includes amultiplicity of louvered openings, and wherein the flanges are spacedapart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portion is about ⅜ to ½inch wide, and wherein the weep hole screen is made of galvanized,painted or powder coated steel.
 18. The brick wall of claim 1, whereinthe screen portion includes a multiplicity of holes, and wherein theflanges are spaced apart approximately 2¼ inches, and the screen portionis about ⅜ to ½ inch wide, and wherein the weep hole screen is made ofgalvanized, painted or powder coated steel.
 19. A brick wall comprising:a multiplicity of bricks including at least a pair of bricks of a firstcourse, the pair of bricks adjacent to one another and defining a weephole therebetween, each of the bricks having a top wall, a bottom wall,a front wall, a view wall, and a pair of side walls, the weep holeadjacent the pair of side walls of the adjacent bricks; and a weep holescreen having an upper and a lower angled brackets spaced apart by ascreen portion defining at least in part a multiplicity of openings, theangled bracket having flanged portions to engage a portion of the topand bottom walls of adjacent bricks to lay in flush relationshipthereto, the weep hole screen further dimensioned such that at least aportion of the screen portion lays between the rear walls of the bricksadjacent the weep hole, wherein the size of the openings are between1/32 inch and ⅛ inch.
 20. The brick wall of claim 19, wherein theopenings are louvered or holes.